Virtual New Jersey Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame to be created

Star-Ledger File PhotoJon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen at a benefit concert at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank in 2003. All are leading candidates for the virtual New Jersey Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

There’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And there’s a New Jersey Hall of Fame. But there’s no New Jersey Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

But there will be. Soon.

By the end of this summer, The Star-Ledger will create a virtual New Jersey Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame on its website, New Jersey Online (nj.com/njrockhall). Readers will be able to go there to learn about the inductees, look at photos and videos, and discuss who should be inducted.

We want to know what New Jerseyans think about various candidates. As a first step, we will hold a panel discussion — and ask audience members to lobby for or against candidates — at the Morris Museum in Morris Township (which is now hosting an exhibit on New Jersey rock history), on June 22.

The Star-Ledger staff will be the sole determiner of who gets inducted. But we will listen to what everyone has to say, and read every online comment. Yes, we are leaning in certain ways, for certain candidates. But our minds are not made up.

Our choices may not be universally popular. But I guarantee this: We will do a better job than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with its elaborate selection process, has been able to do.

GROUND RULES

Why are we doing this? We think it will be a valuable online resource. We think it will be a fun ongoing debate to have. Most important, we want to give props to the Jersey artists who deserve it.

Jerry McCrea/The Star-LedgerBass drumheads from the band the Smithereens, which are part of the "Jersey Rocks: A History of Rock & Roll in the Garden State" exhibit currently at the Morris Museum.

We will define rock ’n’ roll as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame does — basically, all popular music, from the 1950s on. We may have separate categories, as in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for sidemen, early influences and non-performers. But we’ll also think about adding some categories.

What about one for venues, past and present? The Stone Pony, Maxwell’s, the Capitol Theatre …

What about one for songs that are about the state in some way? “Palisades Park,” by Freddy Cannon, “Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits. Or are by Jersey artists who might not make it into the hall on their own? “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass, “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” by P.M. Dawn …

Whereas the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame requires a 25-year period since the release of an artist’s first recording, we will have no such rule. As soon as you’ve accomplished enough, you’re in. We will induct the strongest candidates in the first year, and then add more inductees annually. (Inductees will receive nothing, by the way, except the page on nj.com/njrockhall devoted to them.)

Star-Ledger File PhotoPatti Smith, onstage at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, last year.

All musicians who have lived in New Jersey for at least some part of their lives will be eligible. But we will consider the amount of time artists have been in the state, and how involved they have been in the local scene. There are hugely important musicians who became famous elsewhere, then bought mansions in New Jersey — Stevie Wonder, a New Jersey Hall of Fame finalist last year, is an example of this — but that probably won’t be enough.

Do people think of you as a New Jerseyan? If the answer is no, you probably won’t get in.

RIGHTING WRONGS

What is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s track record on New Jersey artists? Mixed, at best.

Bruce Springsteen was selected in his first year of eligibility — rightly so, though the E Street Band should have been inducted along with him (and will have a place in our hall). The Four Seasons, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Patti Smith, Steely Dan, the Shirelles, the Rascals, the Isley Brothers and Les Paul (as an early influence) are all in — no arguments there.

But look at some New Jerseyans the hall has left out.

• Bon Jovi. Granted, they’re not the most original band in the world. But they have a mountain of hits and have been a dependably dynamic concert act for decades. Like it or not, they’re one of the defining rock bands of their generation.

JOCHEN LUEBKE/AFP/GETTY IMAGESDionne Warwick and Whitney Houston, together in 2004.

• Whitney Houston. She’s got the hits, and she’s got the artistic impact: She’s been a primary influence for everyone from Mariah Carey to Lady Gaga. Yes, her decline has been sad to watch, but that’s no reason not to celebrate her achievements.

• Dionne Warwick. Brought a rare sense of musical sophistication to the pop charts in the ’60s and ’70s.

• Frank Sinatra. Yes, he hated rock ’n’ roll, at first. But he did soften that stance a bit, as the years went on, recording songs by the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, and dueting with Bono. His swaggering vocal style helped pave the way for rock ’n’ roll and, like Les Paul, he should be honored as an early influence.

Then there are the Jersey acts that probably will never receive much consideration for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame itself but are natural fits for a statewide hall: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Connie Francis, the Smithereens, Gloria Gaynor, Yo La Tengo.

How about the Feelies? Their albums were never commercial juggernauts, but they had a big influence on many alt-rock musicians. Or the Misfits, who loom similarly large in the punk world?

And, of course, since we have no restrictions on eligibility, we can consider younger artists too. The Fugees. Queen Latifah. What about My Chemical Romance? Fountains of Wayne? The Jonas Brothers?

What about a band such as Stone Temple Pilots? Two of the guys are from New Jersey, two aren’t. Or, returning to older artists, people like Carole King, Trey Anastasio, Al Anderson (of Bob Marley’s Wailers) and Joe Walsh? All have Jersey roots.

Should Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean be considered as solo artists, or just as Fugees members? Or as both?

How much: $20 ($15 for museum members). Includes wine, cheese and soft drinks and admission to the “Jersey Rocks: A History of Rock & Roll in the Garden State” exhibit. Call (973) 971-3700 or visit morrismuseum.org.